GOP candidates for governor are making a lot of noise about “weeding” out higher education students from Georgia’s colleges who are illegal aliens.

Much of this issue is in response to a recent news story about an illegal alien student at Kennesaw College who for a time, was detained and threatened with deportation following a minor traffic offense on that campus.

It was apparently news to many that students without legal status were being admitted to the state’s colleges.

But the issue isn’t as black-and-white as it may first appear. While non-legal residents shouldn’t get special benefits, they also shouldn’t be unduly thwarted from getting an education.

In most of these cases (of which there is considerable debate on the total number of such students), illegal alien college students were brought across the border by their parents as children. They have attended our secondary schools and now want to continue their education at the college level.

It’s not the fault of the children that they are not legal residents; that was their parents’ doing. Should they be denied access to college because of their immigration status?

This is made more complex because of two other factors. First, many American colleges, including Georgia’s, seek out qualified foreign students every year. At the graduate level, some degrees are dominated by foreign students, in part because of a lack of qualified American-born students to fill those slots. American high schools do not produce enough domestic students to fulfill all of our economic needs, especially in the sciences.

Second, while illegal alien students do take some college slots, there’s often a dearth of native-born, qualified students. Americans are born into opportunity, yet many never take advantage of what they have. Should those students who are qualified and who do seek to take advantage of this opportunity be denied access simply because of their immigration status? Would it not be better in the long run to have a higher-educated population, even if some of those people are illegal?

This is a difficult issue, one certain to get a lot of talk this summer as the governor’s campaigns heat up.

But separating the political heat from the practical reality may be difficult.

This is my opinion, and fortunately I am entitled to it. The only thing an illegal alien in this country should be entitled to is a free ride back to the country or origin! No exceptions! There is no way to take a total wrong and extract a right from it. If you want to go to school, or anything else in the United States, then apply to come here legally, get approved and I will welcome you with open arms.

I got married to a citizen of the Philippines 20 years ago while I was in the Air Force. As a Military member of this country I had to jump through hoop after hoop to bring my spouse, of three years at the time, and with whom I had a two year old child that was born in Hawaii, back into the United States. It cost me more than a little money and time to satisfy the requirements to do that. Now you want to tell me that it is OK for someone to come here, take advantage of our programs, while totally abusing others, just because their parents brought them here. NO NO NO!

This is a very unusual situation Mike,,, I don't think I've ever disagreed with anything that I have seen you write,,, but I do here. Illegal Immigration IS that cut and dry. If you are not here legally then you shouldn't be here at all!

Why should any taxpayer foot the bill for a person that has entered this country illegally to go to college? First, the question itself is stupid. Why should any person that has entered this country illegally be allowed to take advantage of any service provided by the taxpayers of this country. I cannot understand how the American citizen can allow criminals to get food stamps, be provided free medical care and be given special housing when people such as myself have to struggle very day to make ends meet. Illegals are just that -- ILLEGAL -- they have no rights whatsoever.

If they are in this country and are not legal they should get no services inluding education. We as tax paying citizens are footing the bill for a large population that does not pay taxes. If these people want to attend our schools then they need to enter the country much like most of our relatives did, get a sponser and get your green card. It is an INSULT to people who come here and go through the process the right way. Then they see Illegals that get "special treatment" by being allowed to do MOST EVERYTHING they are allowed to do and more. Health care in this country caters to illegals and does not charge them(they write it off) but try and get them to write off your amount due they send it to a collection agency who then sues you(but I digress). before they are allowed to enter ANY system that is paid for by TAX money they MUST prove they are in this country legaly.

The title of this article is "Should illegals be booted from colleges?" Isn't illegal - illegal? Why is it that anyone has any problem understanding what illegal is? If you are here illegally regardless of how you came about being here illegally - you are still illegal and it is not our responsibility to take care of or educate a population of illegals! It is sad that so many illegal aliens decided to bring their children here illegally but it is what it is and that is illegal! These illegal children should have never attended our secondary schools which are paid for through taxes of law abiding American citizens and American home and land owners - all the benefits these illegals have attained in America illegally is part of why we are experiencing such financial difficulties now and I can't believe the Mexican president was allowed to put America down while visiting here after all his country and it's citizens have reaped from America illegally! and shame on us for allowing this! Now our children and grandchildren will have to suffer to make up for our borders not being protected and our laws not being upheld! Mexico and it's president needs to educate thier own! No I don't believe it would be better for us to turn a blind eye to students being illegal (we've done this too long already!)it's not our place to educate a population of illegals!!! It would be better for America to protect it's borders and enforce our laws!!!

Mike you missed it big time. I don't blame the child, but there are consequences for behavior. The know they are illegal and at some point in their life they need to correct it.

This problem cost the State of Arizona over two billion dollars a year. They should never have been allowed in our schools to begin with. Thier parents [robably wouldn't have brought them here if that was true

As the article states "a lack of qualified American-born students " Lets see if America would clean up these ILLEGAL ALIENS then America classrooms could focus on EDUCATING AMERICAN STUDENTS! Lets see the need for a special teacher to translate could be eliminated, classroom size could be smaller for greater teacher student relations, distractions would be less again more time for learning, in some schools day care would not be needed for (some) students and American History could be taught without hurting the feelings of non citizens.... Mike this article is about as bad as your Arizona law misguided piece.If our elected officials would listen and do what the MAJORITY of Americans want America would be # 1 again and not a 3rd world country it is becoming.

Ok I understand that children need education.. but Mike, what makes you say that this is the parent's fault? Yes, they come over here for a better life, fine. My thing is, DO IT THE RIGHT WAY. DON'T COME OVER HERE AND USE OUR TAX MONEY! Aaaaaand, by the time a child reaches college age, he/she should know the process to become a legal resident in this country, and realize that is the right thing. If not, they should be deported and not be able to return. EVER. If you're going to come over here, follow processes and become a resident, no if's and's or but's about this. THANKS.

I wonder where the tuition money is coming from for an illegal student to attend college? If they are illegal, they cannot be working to pay their way through school. Are thye getting financial aid from someone? Who would finance a loan for someone who is illegal? There are a lot more questions to this problem. But the bottom line is that there are too many legal American children who cannot attend college because the institution budgets are being cut (probably because they are writing off the lost revenue from the illegals) and not able to offer as much financial aid.

I hope this dilemma makes American citizens more grateful for the resources we have and to utilize them.
It's complete nonsense to be born in the US and not become your very best with the endless resources available.

In some countries education is highly desired, not easily available, and certainly not free. There are places around the globe where parents leave the home to work, for years at a time, just so their kids can go to school.

How sad to throw education away to someone else who will gladly take it.

If we would just apply the law and ENFORCE it we wouldn't be having this or any other discussion about illegal aliens.

This situation with immigration has just gone too far when we are even debating whether they have a "right" to a damn thing!

A child born here has rights. Born on this soil makes them American. This being said is why we need to work hard to keep illegals out so their children aren't born here.

I know the argument about if the children are born to illegals and all that. I disagree. If you are born here, you are an American. The soveriegn rights we all have as Americans is simply because we were born on American soil.

Whenever one group of people (illegals) get a so-called free ride, and then Americans get arrested here and there for breaking laws, it creates racial tension. Race war will be inevitable in this country if we don't enforce all laws on the books. If the law is outdated, then update it. Crossing the border without permission is illegal in every country around the world, yet we turn a blind eye. Ask hipocrital Mexico what they do to trespassers who cross the border from Central America.

I have to reply here: First off the parents are the ILLEGALS-are the children illegal if they were BORN in the US? There are document requirements for ALL school systems in the USA. Birth certificates, social security numbers, etc. Yes, illegals get illegal documents and that means the children with illegal documents while they may be getting an education are doing so under a FALSE name. One illegal act has now become even more. Thankfully I have always known I was an American citizen and given freedom of speech since birth. While I can understand the need for immigration, after all that's how this country was founded to begin with, I do not agree with ILLEGAL immigrants being in our country. I also take exception to those who come to our country and refuse to learn our language but expect me to learn theirs in order to communicate with them. If they are here legally and are willing to learn our language then fine let them stay. Otherwise-SHIP THEM BACK the SAME WAY they came to our country. If they walked across the desert to get here, let them walk back to go home. If they hitched a ride, cut through a tunnel underground send them back (And seal the tunnel). If they will enter our country illegally, what other illegal acts are they committing in our country the citizens are paying for? You know all those foreign countries with mines? They did that to keep people out of areas they deemed off limits, and while it may not have been the most humane way to do things, it did accomplish the goal. SEND THEM BACK if they are illegals.

Mr. Buffington states there is a lot of noise about weeding-out illegal alien students from Georgia’s colleges.

Well, why not? State funding for education at all levels is in decline, education budgets are tough targets to hit, and college tuition is rising faster than inflation. Seems on its face like pretty reasonable action to me.

But wait, there is more from Mr. Buffington. “The issue isn’t as black-and-white as it may first appear.” Mr. Buffington is wrong about this one. This issue is only about politics.

I remember that when “W” was president, the whole political establishment -- both ‘crats and ‘cans, as well as the media -- were behind amnesty for then 12 million illegal immigrants. That was until public opinion polls showed that voters were not buying in. Today’s gubernatorial candidates have read the polls.

There are probably 15 to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. today. The President should have worked on immigration reform, not health care. Jack

Y'know? I can't even get a Kroger preferred-customer card without filling out the proper paperwork!

How does ANYONE, (much less thousands upon thousands of someones) live here for years, even raise children, and not be here legally? How do they get a job? How do they get a Drivers License? How do they get health care? How do they avoid the IRS? How DO they get into school? What happens when they get a traffic ticket, or are arrested for whatever? I just don't get it.

I welcome anyone who comes to our country having followed the proper procedures and obtained the proper documentation required by law to be here. This way, they can contribute to our country in the same ways we actual citizens do. That IS the "American Way"!!!

If you're born in the USA you ARE legal. If not then you must go through the government to become legal. I have no problem with deporting illegal aliens. And their respective government should be sent a bill for our expenses. Mexico will never reform until their people have to stay there and fix it. It's a darn mess down there. Violence is spilling across our border. We need to follow the Israeli example and build a wall where a fence won't work.

Absolutely!!!!! ILLEGALS should be denied any benefit our country has to offer.THEY ARE ILLEGAL!!!! What is it that some people have such a hard time of understanding that? Immigration would not be such a hot topic had our government SECURED our borders the way it was intended to do. I Thank Arizona for standing up to what the Federal Government does'nt have the balls to do.

As an immigrant I believe that this country was made for the people that want to fight and make it better; thus it involves correcting the mistakes that you and or your parents did.

And some of you guys are right, the U.S. should invest more money on their kids, let's just put it like this:

I was adopted by American citizens when I was 9. I come from a third world country, and I attended a public school while I lived over there. When I came here (Not knowing a single word in English), I was impressed at how slow the education was (I can see it with many of the comments posted).

Now, we shouldn't be pissed at illegals, we should be pissed at the GOVERNMENT that it's not fixing the mistakes. Don't forget my ignorant commentators that these are people we are talking about, not animals, etc. and if you guys are willing to pay for their gas tanks, tickets, etc. prepare your wallets. 10,000,000 and counting.

And you don't forget, my self proclaimed enlightened one, an illegal alien is breaking the law. Boil it down and what you have is a common criminal! I don't care how many directions you look from, you can't make it OK! Come here the correct and legal way and you'll be met with open arms. Otherwise stay the hell home! If you are here illegally, go the hell home!

You came here LEGALLY so no one is complaining about you... My family immigrated here in the 1930's and they did it LEGALLY as well. I guess you are OK with people coming here illegally because YOUR PARENTS did the work of securing your citizenship so it was handed to you. You are confusing America’s unhappiness about illegal immigration with racism which is not the issue. My family had to jump through hoops to obtain their citizenship so it irks my grandmother that these illegal immigrants get away with it. When my family came here it WAS about racism. They struggled and learned English, worked as laborers, were called names, spit on, and treated like second hand citizens; however they were PROUD to be Americans. They didn’t continue to fly the flag of their home country, they didn’t say that they were “Italians” or “Italian-Americans” they said that they were AMERICAN!

Good thing for you that two Americans were willing to step up and obviously better your life. I'm sure you are very thankful for that as I know I would be.

Government is indeed the problem, most of us on here agree to that without much dissention. The biggest problem is that our federal government has refused to enforce the laws adopted for the purpose of regulating legal immigration. I"m sure a bright young intellectual such as yourself can clearly understand that some sort of oversight of this must be prevelent.

And by the way, your literary skills are not quite what you think they are yet. Keep at it though, proper puncuation is difficult and takes time to perfect.

Ok illegal is illegal, but since they are already here, why kick them out of school. They are obviously trying to do something good with their life, and if they do not get an education, you will then have an immigrant that will do anything to support their family(rob, steal, sell drugs, cheat) instead we should give them the oppertuntiy to prove themselves. I would to say that for most of us, our ancentors were immigrants as well. Are we forgetting the founding principals, it is the politicians that have made coming into this country so difficult, that the only for a better life is to come here illegally

Tina, if you want someone to prove themselves then a good start would be to start off in a legal manner. If you start off with a corrupt foundation the what follows is corrupt. There is nothing you can say that will make this OK. There are two directions a person can travel,,, wrong and right! You can't correct something that is wrong right unless you correct the wrong. Sorry, that's just the way I see it! If I broke into your house would you say it was OK if I proved myself after I did it..... I don't think so!

Why can't people understand that ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL...it doesn't matter whether you are in America for school or whatever the reason! I don't think most people have a problem with immigrants who take the proper steps to be here LEGALLY, it's just those who try to get by without taking the responsibility to become legal residents who are causing America problems and costing us money. If you are here in this country illegally...GO BACK HOME!!

Mike, that was a good article and led to some good, intelligent discussion! I enjoyed it.

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